Excellence in Everything We Do

Chromebooks and Chrome Web Store for Elementary

Each of our elementary schools will have six Chromebooks carts in addition to their netbook and iPad carts. With the addition of Chromebooks, it’s important to learn about the Chromebooks, experience them, understand some of the differences, and recognize the power within the Chrome Web Store.

How are Chromebooks different?

Chromebooks have a web based management council. This means they:

update themselves;

boot up in 6-8 seconds (and over time that speeds up);

cannot have software installed on them;

can have the Tech Department install apps and extensions through the Chrome Web Store (including a plethora of Educational Apps);

can do most anything online via the Chrome browser;

and, start up by entering desktop (elementary students won’t have individual logins, so they will click “enter” twice to get to desktop), then go straight into Chrome.

What do we need to know about the Chromebook hardware?

There are different types of Chromebooks. The one we are using in our district is the Samsung. They are light (2.42 pounds) and have a battery life of approximately 6.5 hours.

We also need to be aware that the screens are known to break easily if they are picked up by the screen (top) instead of the keyboard (base). Therefore, it’s important that we model and expect everyone to pick them up by the base, and review/establish procedures for walking with the Chromebooks.

Chromebook Shortcuts:

Here’s a list of shortcuts for the Chromebook. There are some that you will want to specifically teach the students such as:

Screenshots can be added to an email or a Google Doc by inserting an image. Likewise, the image can be uploaded to other applications such as a blog post, etc.

To right click, press Alt + click or place two fingers on the mousepad and click.

Getting to the Chrome Web Store:

There are educational applications that can be added to the Chromebooks, similar to adding an app to an iPad from iTunes. At our Elementary Schools, we’ll have apps added a la carte! In other words, it will be by cart… which means we’ll collect a list from the teams, and have Mr. Tucker install those for you (kind of like how Configurator does for the iPad carts).

How will the teachers know which apps to have the Tech Department install on the carts?

Teachers do not need Chromebooks to try out the apps–they just need to be logged into Google Apps, and have their Chrome browser open. Then, they can add apps and extensions to their Chrome browser from the Chrome Web Store.

→NOTE: Some apps are for individual use only, and can not be pushed out and installed on the Chromebooks.

There are many ways to get to the Chrome Web Store from the Teacher laptop. Here are a few of them:

Installing from the Chrome Web Store:

Launching the App:

Or, add a new tab (CTRL T) and it will appear in the icons. Then click the app icon to launch (see example below).

Launching extensions:

Extensions are installed onto the toolbar (EG the Diigo extension for Chrome).

Add-ons:

Google has a new feature called Add-Ons, which can be installed on Google Docs and Google Spreadsheets. While Add-Ons don’t require going to the Chrome Web Store, I thought it was valuable to share how to make the all powerful Google Docs and Google Sheets a little more robust.

For example, Doctopus (great for management of assignments and projects) and Kaizena (which used to be called Google Voice, allows you to leave voice comments on documents) can now be added through Add-Ons.

Typing Club — Practice typing skills and track performance through an admin interface.

VocabularySpellingCity — VocabularySpellingCity offers learning games and activities including spelling tests and flash cards for students to use to practice spelling and vocabulary words entered by their teachers or parents.

WeVideo — Professional level video editor for students and teachers to collaborate, create and share video stories.

Concluding Thoughts:

Finding tools for your students to use is an important part of technology integration. How will they will use those tools for learning? Will the tool be used for memorization (DOK 1)? Skills/application (DOK 2)? Strategic thinking (DOK 3)? Or, extended thinking (DOK 4)? Will it be used as a paper and pencil substitution or will it be used to transform learning?

What Chrome apps or extensions would you add to this list?

What other hardware thoughts or questions should be shared?

Do you have other thoughts or questions about Chromebooks and the Chrome Web Store?

10 thoughts on “Chromebooks and Chrome Web Store for Elementary”

I am super excited to hear that the elementary school will be getting Chromebook carts. When I first started exploring the Chrome Web Store I was thrilled with all of the different apps. The one that I truly liked was MeeGenius. However, after exploring for awhile I started to get a little discouraged because I wasn’t sure if these apps were only available if you had Chromebook or if it would work with Chrome Browser as well. After getting clarification and learning from Tracy that it would work with the Chrome Browser I started thinking of the different ways that apps could be integrated into the learning environment.

The Chromebook looks like a better all around option for the students to the standard laptop. There will be an endless amount of information one can get using the Chromebook. Installing from the Chrome Web Store looks very easy and being able to use apps such as Add On and Doctupus to be able to leave voice directions for the students will absolutely improve student engagement.

I’m excited to use the Chromebooks as a creation tool. My preferred tool for kids has always been iPads but I’m starting to see that with the webcam, screenshots and web apps we can use the Chromebooks share their learning in unique ways. I’m hoping to get my whole class on individual blogs on the Chromebooks soon.

Thanks for the great information about our Chromebook carts. I am using the inclusion model for SpEd so I see students using the computers in GenEd but now I will be better able to help them.
For our math focus of 30 minutes (including BT reteach), I will be able to individualize math skills(probably BuzzMath, iPass) needed by specific students. Chromebooks will provide the interactive skill practice that they require for math success.